Their Punching Bag Became The Storm novel Chapter 3

Whitney didn’t really have much of an impression of this guy.

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The reason she could recognize him instantly, besides his jaw–dropping good looks, was that his face was so distinctive.

There was another reason. Ever since Emily met Ryan, she always acted like she had him in the bag.

But Ryan never bought into Emily’s act. He never showed her any warmth from start to finish.

Emily ended up in tears more than once because of Ryan.

As for the Anderson family, they wouldn’t dare mess with Ryan, who was basically royalty in Roynfort. No matter how much they doted on Emily, there was no way they’d stick their necks out for her and risk ticking Ryan off.

Plus, Ryan’s health wasn’t great. When he came to the show, he had bodyguards trailing him in the shadows. Every single one of them was a former special forces soldier.

The Andersons wouldn’t dare go head–to–head with him.

Emily cried a few times, but in the end, she had to give it up.

Later, probably fed up with Emily constantly pestering him, Ryan left before the show was finished filming. He claimed he was feeling unwell.

Of course, Ryan’s early exit pissed off a ton of his fans.

Emily had been throwing herself at Ryan during the livestream, which annoyed Ryan’s Fans. As soon as Ryan left, a tidal wave of insults crashed down on her online.

How did the Andersons deal with it in the end?

That was when Whitney, the designated fall guy, got thrown under the bus.

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The Andersons didn’t give her a heads–up. They paid for a planted story and had

someone posing in staff member’s name, claiming Whitney had stripped naked and tried to seduce Ryan off–camera, which made him leave in a rage.

It wasn’t hard to guess what would happened next. Whitney was torn apart online.

And the Andersons asked for more, forcing her to swallow all the hate to protect their reputation.

Thinking about it, Whitney’s eyes grew cold.

Ryan was a last–minute addition to the show, joining on the second day of filming, which was today.

She’d hurt her leg and passed out, so she hadn’t crossed paths with him.

She never expected that the guy everyone said was icy and out of reach, like some kind of deity, would be the one holding an umbrella for her right now.

“Thanks, Whitney said to Ryan.

He replied coldly, “It’s okay”

His casual tone, deep and magnetic, felt even more captivating in the endless rain.

Whitney’s long lashes quivered softly. She lowered her eyes and silently tended to her injured foot.

13:18 Thu, Jun 4 A

Chapter 3

Once she’d finished bandaging her foot, Whitney straightened up.

With a handful of wet herbs in one hand, she extended her other hand toward Ryan.

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

“My umbrella,” Whitney said.

Ryan’s thin lips curved slightly.

For a split second, his aloof, elegant face seemed to light

“My umbrella’s big enough,” he said.

up the

His deep, husky voice carried a hint of ambiguous amusement. It was as if he’d I just discovered an intriguing prey.

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If it were anyone else, getting invited by Ryan to share an umbrella would have them over the moon, maybe even passing out from excitement.

But Whitney reached out with a cool expression, took her umbrella back, and walked away without a second glance.

That move made the smile on Ryan’s elegant face grow even wider.

His deep, aristocratic gaze lingered on Whitney’s back, a subtle ripple of emotion flickering in his eyes.

Whitney could feel his gaze lingering on her, almost burning into her back.

She pressed her lips together, acted like she didn’t notice a thing, and kept walking.

Were all those stories about him fake?‘ Whitney wondered.

But in her memory, this guy was so icy that the whole crew would get all nervous and respectful around him, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

“You know medicine?” Ryan’s deep, husky voice suddenly sounded from behind her.

He had somehow caught up and was now walking behind her.

Maybe it was the rain, but even though they weren’t that close, his voice still felt like it was right by her ear.

This guy

is so charming, Whitney thought.

Whitney replied politely, but with a hint of indifference, “I know a bit.”

Whitney picked up the pace.

Even with the herbs numbing the pain, she still limped along, her steps far from steady.

A hand appeared in front of her. It was long and slender, almost luminous in the rain. Each finger was distinct, the joints clear and refined.

Whitney was stunned.

“Need a hand?” Ryan offered, his gaze lingering on her injured foot.

“I can manage,” Whitney said.

She dodged his hand and kept limping forward.

13:19 Thu, Jun 4 A

Chapter 3

As she walked past Ryan, Whitney couldn’t help but sneak a sideways glance at him.

His captivating face showed barely any emotion.

She had no idea what he was trying to do.

Anyway, she wanted to keep her distance from

Her refusal came as no surprise to Ryan.

His legs carried him after Whitney. “You don’t seem like

someone who only knows a bit,” he remarked.

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Whitney didn’t reply, simply lowering her gaze.

She was truly more than “a bit” knowledgeable.

Before she was brought back to the Anderson residence, she’d always stayed by her mentor’s side.

Her mentor was a great doctor, renowned far and wide.

During those years, she picked up countless skills from him and even outshone him.

When the Andersons came to bring her home, her mentor gently patted her head and said, “Whitney, you’re more gifted than any of my other students.

“No matter what you learn, you pick it up effortlessly. If it weren’t for your real family waiting for you, I truly wish you could inherit everything from me,

Thinking of her mentor and the fellow students who always doted on her, Whitney felt her eyes grow hot with emotion. Regret flooded her heart.

For the so–called family, a bunch of losers, she actually walked away from the people who truly loved her, who treated her like family.

In her previous life, she really had shit for brains, like she was cursed or something. She threw away her pride, lost herself, only to chase after a “family.”

Her mentor and the fellow students were real family.

Ryan followed Whitney, keeping an appropriate, steady distance.

His gaze lingered on her slim back, and he quietly watched her.

He could sense that a wave of sadness washed over her.

He followed Whitney all the way to the shelter.

Whitney closed her umbrella and realized Ryan was still behind her. “It’s pouring. Shouldn’t you be in your own cabin? Why are you still following me?”

Ryan was the reigning superstar backed by the Pierce family in Roynfort, and he’d only landed on the wild island today.

He didn’t have to compete in any challenges or pick a room like everyone else.

He got his own private room right when he arrived.

Why would he leave his own solid, weatherproof cabin with all the comforts to hang out in my rundown shack? Whitney wondered.

13:19 Thu, Jun 4 A

Chapter 3

Ryan glanced up at the roof, which was still dripping with rain. “I can help you.”

Whitney knew what he was getting at.

If he said the word, she wouldn’t have to tough it out in this miserable, leaky shack anymore.

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She’d have a professional doctor take care of her foot, and she wouldn’t have to give a damn about what the Andersons thought.